Particulate material dispensing hairbrush with combination bristles

ABSTRACT

A brush having a head with a reservoir formed therein and at least one aperture formed in the head for opening the reservoir to the exterior of the head is provided. The inventive brush also includes a plurality of bristles mounted on the head for transferring material dispensed from the reservoir through the at least one aperture in the head as the brush is drawn through human or animal hair. The inventive brush includes a refill aperture formed in the head and a cap releasably engageable with the refill aperture. The brush may also include a cover movably mounted on the head for closing an aperture in the head with the cover movable between a first position for closing the aperture, and a second position for opening the aperture.

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/871,535, filed Dec. 22, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a brush and a combination of bristles secured to the base.

Various hair care utensils have been devised for grooming, cleaning, treating, medicating and otherwise taking care of human or pet hair, including utensils such as combs and brushes.

Other hair grooming utensils include various spraying devices, such as manual pump sprays, pressurized aerosol containers, etc. These utensils are employed for applying hair coloring, cleansing solutions, medicinal compositions to treat various ailments, etc.

Conventional brushes have a plurality of bristles arranged in various 2-dimensional patterns. While these brushes are effective for hair grooming, they cannot apply significant quantities of a liquid or other materials. Conventional brushes are also less than desirable for applying medicinal or other treatment compositions to hair and scalp. Moreover, most conventional brushes include a plurality of bristles of the same flexibility and stiffness. This is less than advantageous since transferring a particulate material to hair and scalp requires stiff bristles to part and separate the hair, and soft bristles to capture and deposit a particulate material to the hair and scalp.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a brush for stroking hair and collecting and depositing a particulate material on hair and scalp. It is also desirable to have a brush that is capable of applying medicine, cleaning solutions and other treatment material to the hair, skin or scalp, as the brush is drawn through the hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, and in accordance with the invention, a brush having a head with a reservoir formed therein and at least one aperture formed in the head for opening the reservoir to the exterior of the head is provided. The inventive brush also includes a plurality of bristles mounted on the head for transferring material dispensed from the reservoir through the at least one aperture in the head as the brush is drawn through human or animal hair.

In particular, the inventive brush includes a fill and/or refill aperture formed in the head and a cap releasably engageable with the refill aperture. The brush may also include a cover movably mounted on the head for closing an aperture in the head with the cover movable between a first position for closing the aperture, and a second position for opening the aperture.

In accordance with the invention, the inventive brush includes a plurality of soft flexible bristles mounted along the head and surrounding the at least one aperture. These bristles are suitable for receiving materials that are dispensed through at least one aperture. In addition, the brush of the invention preferably includes a second group of stiffer, more rigid bristles disposed about the soft flexible bristles. In one form, the inner disposed bristles protrude beyond the height of the outer bristles.

In a further embodiment, the inventive brush may include a vibration mechanism for vibrating the head in order to enhance migration of material from the reservoir to the bristles during use of the brush.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved particulate dispensing hairbrush.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hairbrush having bristles of two or more different types.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improved hair brush that is capable of applying medicine, cleaning solutions, powders and other treatment to the hair, the skin or scalp, as the brush is being drawn through the hair.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the hairbrush of the invention and depicting the movable cover mounted on the brush head and disposed in a first position for closing the apertures formed along the brush head;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hairbrush depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view showing one construction of the outer bristles of the hairbrush of the invention;

FIG. 4 is also an enlarged elevational view showing a second construction of the outer bristles of the inventive hairbrush;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the cover used for closing the apertures formed on the head of the inventive hairbrush;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cover depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the hairbrush of the invention, and depicting the cover of FIG. 1 in a second position in order to open the apertures formed along the brush head; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the hairbrush depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the inventive hair brush;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view, partially cut away of the brush head of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment showing the various component parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-8 of the drawing, there is depicted a particulate dispensing hairbrush with combination bristles denoted generally by reference 10.

The brush 10 may be formed of any suitable lightweight material, preferably a plastic, with polypropylene being useable by example. The brush 10 may be formed of a single-piece, molded body 12 or of multiple pieces joined together by adhesive, double shot molding, heat or sonic welding, etc.

By way of example only, the body 12 includes a handle 14 with elongated shaft 16 extending from a first outer end 18 to a second end 20. An aperture 22 may be formed in the shaft 16 adjacent the first end 18 to provide a convenient means for supporting the brush on a hook or other surface when not in use.

The shaft 16 is provided in a convenient hand grip size and may optionally be provided with ergonomic surfaces 24, such as soft, flexible ribs, which extend along some or substantially all of the exterior surface of the shaft 16.

The body 12 of the brush 10 also includes a head 30 which may be integrally joined to the shaft 16. The head 30 has a generally cubical, hollow shape, with the illustrated rectangular shape being by way of example only. The head 30 has a first end 32 and an opposed second end 34. The second end 34 of the head 30 is joined to the second end 20 of the shaft 16 of the handle 14 by a connector 36.

The head 30 is formed with a hollow interior chamber or reservoir 38 which opens to an aperture 40 at the first end 32 of the head 30. The aperture 40 is releasably closable by a cap 42.

The cap 42 may be affixed to the first end 32 of the head 30 by a snap-on, friction fit, a threaded connection, etc.

Dispensable materials, i.e., particulate solids, such as powder, or even fluid materials, may be introduced into the reservoir 38 in the head 30 through the aperture 40.

At least one aperture, with two pairs of spaced apertures 44 being shown by way of example only, are formed in one major surface of the head 30. The apertures 44 open to the reservoir 38 to allow transfer or migration of the material contained within the reservoir 38 through the apertures 44 and onto the bristles mounted on the head 30 as described hereafter for dispensing to human or pet hair.

A cover 50 is in the form of an elongated, generally flat rod having a first end 52 and an opposed second end 54. The second end 54 is enlarged, such as by a bent flange 58, to provide a finger engageable edge for moving the cover 50 between a first position shown in FIG. 1 wherein apertures 56, which are provided in substantially the same size and the same number as the aperture(s) 44 in the head 30, are spaced from the apertures 44 in the head 30 by solid portions of the cover 50 to close off the apertures 44 to the transfer of the material within the reservoir 38 to the bristles on the head 30 and a second position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the apertures 56 in the cover 50 are aligned with the apertures 44 and the head 30 allowing dispending of material from the reservoir 38 to the brush bristles.

The cover 50 may be mounted interiorally or exteriorally on the major surface 31 of the head 30 and may slide within a groove formed in the major surface 31 of the head 30. The groove 60 slidably captures the cover 50 in the head 30.

A plurality of bristles are mounted on the major surface 31 of the head 30. Although all of the bristles can be of the same type of material and substantially the same height, by way of example only, a first group of bristles 70 are fixedly mounted on the major surface 31 of the head 30 by suitable mounting means, such as molding in the major surface 31, adhesive, staples, etc. The first group of bristles 70 may be formed of soft, densely arranged, boars hair bristles. A second group of bristles 74 are arranged about substantially the entire outer periphery of the first group of bristles 70, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The bristles 74 forming the second outer peripheral group of bristles generally have a more rigid construction that the softer bristles 70 in the first group of bristles 70.

The outer peripheral bristles 74, which are illustrated as being disposed only along the two longitudinal sides of the inner bristles 70, may comprise individual, flexible nylon or polypropylene bristles which are joined by means of molding, hooking or other fastening means such as molding to the major surface 31 of the head 30. The bristles 74, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, have a shaft 76, a spherical ball-shaped end 78, and an attachment end 80 which is illustrated by example only as being in the form of a bent hook for mounting in the first major surface 31 of the head 30.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternate construction for the outer bristles in which the outer bristles are formed of clumps or groups 84 of a plurality of flexible plastic, such as nylon, bristles. The bristles 84 are flexible, but more rigid than the inner disposed, softer bristles 70.

Although not shown, the outer bristles may also be formed of metal, joined at one end to the head 30 for used with brushing pet undercoats. The height of the inner bristles 70 may be of the same height as the outer peripheral bristles 74. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the outer peripheral bristles 74 may also be provided in different heights, one set of which may be of the same height as the inner bristle 70 or both sets may be shorter in height than the overall height of the inner bristles 70.

In use, the brush 10 may be used as a conventional brush on human or pet hair or undercoats when the cover 50 is in the first closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The more rigid outer peripheral bristles 74, 84, etc., gently stroke hair, and, in particular, braids, without detangling or untwisting the braids. In loose, unbraided or untied hair, the outer peripheral bristles separate and detangle the hair as the brush 10 is drawn through the hair in a sideways direction of the brush 10. That is, the brush 10 is urged through human or pet hair or pet undercoats in a sideways motion from left to right or right to left in the brush orientation shown in FIG. 1.

When it is desired to dispense the particulate or other material stored in the reservoir 38, the cover 50 is urged to the second open position. While the brush 10 is moved through the human or pet hair or pet undercoat, gravity causes the particulate material or other material stored within the reservoir 38 in to migrate or transfer from the reservoir 38 to the soft, inner bristles 70 and then onto the human or pet hair.

The brush 10 may be vibrated by shaking the brush during each brushing stroke to promote or enhance migration of material from the reservoir 38 to the inner bristles 70. Alternately, a vibratory means, such as a small battery powered motor, may be mounted in the brush 10, such as in the handle 14, to provide vibration of the head 30 during brush strokes.

It is also contemplated that the brush 10 may be constructed without the slidable cover 50. In this aspect, the apertures 44 in head 30 remain open at all times. Due to the slightly clinging nature of powder or other particulate material typically applied to human hair, or pet hair or fur, while a small amount of the particulate material may migrate from the interior reservoir 38 through the apertures 44 onto the bristles 70 when the major surface 31 is oriented in a downward facing position, substantial transfer of the particulate material is achieved during a brush stroke by means of vibration, i.e., by either manual shaking of the brush or a motor aided vibration as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 9-14 of the drawings, there is depicted a second embodiment of a particulate dispensing hairbrush with combination bristles denoted generally by reference 110.

Brush 110 may also be formed of any suitable lightweight material, preferably a plastic, with polypropylene being useable by example. Brush 110 may be formed of a single-piece, molded body 112 or of multiple pieces joined together by adhesive, double shot molding, heat or sonic welding, etc.

Body 112 includes a handle 114 with an aperture 122 which may be formed in handle 114 adjacent to one end to provide a convenient means for supporting the brush on a hook or other surface when not in use.

Handle 114 is provided with an over-grip having an ergonomic surface 124, such as soft, flexible ribs, which extend along some or substantially all of the exterior surface of handle 114.

Body 112 of the brush 110 also includes a head 130 which is joined to handle 114. Head 130 includes a top 144 and a bottom 146 and has a first end and an opposed second end. The second end of the head 130 is joined to the other end of handle 114 by means of fingers 148 a, 148 b extending from top 144 and bottom 146, respectively.

Head 130 is formed with a hollow interior chamber or reservoir 138 (defined by reservoir top 154 and reservoir bottom 156) which opens to an access aperture at the end of the head 130 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). The aperture is releasably closable by a cap 142.

As in the first embodiment, dispensable materials, i.e., particulate solids, such as powder, or even fluid materials, may be introduced into reservoir 138 in head 130 through the aperture.

Apertures 151 are shown in FIG. 11 along one surface of the head 130. Apertures 151 open to reservoir 138 to allow transfer or migration of the material contained within the reservoir 138 through the apertures 151 and onto the bristles mounted on the head 130, as described hereafter, for dispensing to human or pet hair.

A plurality of bristles are mounted along said one surface of the head 130. Particularly, a first group of bristles (not shown) may be fixedly mounted along the surface of head 130 at location 161 comprising soft, densely arranged, boar or horse hair bristles. A second group of bristles 141 are arranged about substantially the entire outer periphery of location 161. Bristles 141 forming the second outer peripheral group of bristles are typically made of a plastic material and generally have a more rigid construction than the softer bristles of the first group.

In use, brush 110 may be used as a conventional brush on human or pet hair or undercoats. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a load dial 131 is provided along the neck region of head 130 in order to turn a shaft 133 to which the load dial is connected, which subsequently turns a load dial fin 135 connected to shaft 133 and located within brush head 130. When fin 135 turns or moves, it engages and depresses an internal piston/plunger unit 137. Piston/plunger unit 137 includes a plurality of pistons 139 and urges the material held in reservoir 138 through apertures 151 where the material is ultimately trapped by the soft, densely arranged horse or boar hair bristles for subsequent transfer. Piston/plunger unit 137 then springs back into its original position (by means of springs 159) so that it is ready for additional dispensing of said material.

When it is desired to dispense the particulate or other material stored in the reservoir 138, brush 110 is moved through the human or pet hair or pet undercoat, with gravity causing the particulate or other material stored within reservoir 138 to migrate or transfer from reservoir 138 to the brush and then onto the human or pet hair. 

1. A brush for dispensing material, the brush comprising: (a) a body having a handle and a head defining a brushing surface; (b) a reservoir for containing said material formed within the head; and at least one aperture formed along said brushing surface of the head and opening the reservoir to the exterior of the head; (c) a cover movably relative to the head for selectively closing the at least one aperture, the cover movable between a first position for closing said at least one aperture and a second position for opening the at least one aperture; (d) a plurality of soft, inner disposed flexible bristles mounted on the head and depending from said surface, said inner bristles substantially surrounding the at least one aperture in the head for receiving material dispensed from the reservoir through the at least one aperture and transferring said material onto another surface as the brush is selectively engaged with the other surface; and (e) a plurality of stiffer outer disposed bristles mounted on the head and depending from said surface, said outer bristles disposed about at least a portion of the outer periphery of said plurality of soft, inner disposed bristles.
 2. The brush of claim 1, wherein particulate material is disposed within the reservoir.
 3. The brush of claim 1, further comprising: a refill aperture formed in the head; and a cap releasable engageable with the refill aperture.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The brush of claim 1, wherein the soft bristles are formed of boars hair or horse hair.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The brush of claim 1, wherein the inner disposed bristles protrude beyond the height of at least some of the outer disposed bristles.
 11. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are formed of a rigid flexible material.
 12. The brush of claim 11, wherein the outer disposed bristles have an enlarged spherical shaped end.
 13. The brush of claim 1, further comprising: vibration means, carried in the brush, for vibrating the head to enhance migration of the material from the reservoir to the bristles during use of the brush.
 14. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover has a finger engageable surface to facilitate moving said cover between said first and second positions.
 15. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover includes at least one opening which is in corresponding alignment with said at least one aperture when said cover is in said second position.
 16. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover is slidable within a groove formed in said head surface to enable movement between said first and second positions.
 17. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are selected from the group consisting of nylon, polypropylene and polyethylene.
 18. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are mounted on the brush head by means of one of molding and hooking.
 19. The brush of claim 1, wherein the outer disposed bristles are in the form of clumps substantially surrounding an aperture.
 20. The brush of claim 10, wherein the height of all of the inner disposed bristles is substantially the same.
 21. The brush of claim 20, wherein some of the outer disposed bristles have a height substantially the same as that of the inner disposed bristles and wherein the remainder of said outer disposed bristles have a height that is substantially less than that of said inner disposed bristles.
 22. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises an elongated rod element having at least one opening which is aligned with said at least one aperture of said head only when said cover is in said second position.
 23. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover is mounted interiorally of said brushing surface.
 24. The brush of claim 1, wherein said cover is mounted exteriorally of said brushing surface. 